For decades, Israel's heroes were its soldiers and pioneers who fought to build and protect the state, but now its cultural icons are models and singers likely to have dodged military service.

The new trend was graphically demonstrated last week when it emerged that five out of eight contestants in A Star is Born, a talent contest on the lines of Pop Idol, had not served in the army.

In Israel, military service for men and women is compulsory, but increasing numbers of young people are opting out by claiming to be religious or feigning mental illness. Recent figures revealed that 43 per cent of women and 25 per cent of men do not perform their military service, which lasts three years for men and two years for women.

Some of Israel's biggest celebrities have never served in the forces, such as the model Bar Refaeli, girlfriend of Leonardo diCaprio, and Avi Geffen, a pop star. Earlier this year, the Israeli Chelsea footballer, Ben Sahar, was exempted from national service to pursue his career.

The new trend has led to a chorus of disapproval from Israeli leaders, who see the army as the essence of Israeli society. Ehud Barak, the defence minister and former prime minister, said last week that he intended to try to end draft-dodging. 'I will act to reduce draft dodging. As a society, we must not turn draftdodgers into heroes,' he said.

Israel's military strength is based on the theory that it can react to any threat by mobilising the entire country. Male soldiers continue to perform annual reserve duty until they are 45.

Barak, like many Israeli politicians, served in the army all his life, rising to chief of staff before entering politics. 'From the people's army, the IDF is gradually turning into the army of half the people. When he goes into battle, a soldier should not have to feel that a portion of our society regards him as a sucker. A soldier cannot charge forward with all his might if he feels that the home front is not unreservedly behind him A society that lives under existential threat will survive only if it is able to respect those who defend it,' he said.

Two major sections of Israeli society are exempt from military service - Arab Israelis and ultra-orthodox Jews. Ultra-orthodox Jews are exempt because their profession is the study of Torah. On Friday, a small group of marchers demonstrated in Tel Aviv for new laws that would make draft-dodging more difficult.

Miri Brown, a member of the Forum of Parents for Equally Sharing the Military Burden, said that it was vital that all Israelis performed some kind of compulsory service. 'We don't want two societies. We want people to share the burden, either militarily, or through civil service. We are all in the same society, and there need to be equal rights and duties,' said told Ynet, an Israeli news website.

Among the marchers was actor Shlomo Vishinski, whose son was killed last year in Lebanon while serving in the IDF. 'The country boasts something it doesn't have, saying the draft is mandatory,' he said. 'Those who can't accept orders aren't responsible enough to drive a car either. That is a responsibility, too. Those who don't enlist should have their licence taken away.'

At the same time in Tel Aviv's Sheinkin Street, thousands of young Israelis were shopping and drinking coffee in the city's most fashionable thoroughfare. Over a period of two hours, only two soldiers could be seen in uniform, both women, a novelty for Israel, where soldiers returning home for the weekend can be seen everywhere.

In spite of what Barak said, it was difficult to find young people who wanted to avoid military service, though few were interested in joining combat units.

Amit Ben Israel, 15, said that he wanted to serve in the information technology or intelligence sector of the army. 'Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I want do my military service because it's a service to my country. I have been protected by others up to now and I want to do the same when I am 18,' he said.

Ilit, 23, said she had just finished her service in the intelligence corps and felt that military service was an essential component of being an Israeli. 'One of my friends did not serve because she did not see the point in it. It does bother me that so many celebrities did not serve because children look up to them and emulate them,' she said.

Roi Adar, 27, also of the intelligence corps, said that Ben Sahar's exemption from military service was acceptable, but felt that other celebrities were a disgrace to their country.